Russian Oligarch Lebedev Facing Charges Of "Hooliganism" After Punching Rival On Chat Show

Following his spectacular punch up against a rival on Russian television, Billionaire Alexander Lebedev faces charges of "hooliganism", The Guardian reports.

Last month Lebedev was filmed punching fellow oligarch and property developer Sergei Polonsky following an argument during a chat show on the NTV channel (footage below).

Russian authorities have decided that Lebedev brought "brought bodily harm" to Polonsky. Vladimir Putin has also called the attack "hooliganism". If convicted, Lebedev could face two years in prison.

We suggest that Lebedev (owner of Kremlin-critical newspaper Novaya Gazeta a member of opposition party A Just Russia) is probably better off not giving the Russian government an excuse to jail him — just ask Mikhail Khodorkovsky.